Blue Exorcist & Sakura Hime Manga Release Soon.
Viz Media has announced the release of the manga (graphic novel) series BLUE EXORCIST, by creator Kazue Kato, on April 5th. The new title will be published under the company’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth – the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight the demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won’t be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!
“Kinetic action and a storyline with plenty of twists and surprises awaits readers as the material world collides with the world of demons in this gripping new series,†says Mike Montesa, Editor. “At the True Cross Academy, Rin faces many challenges and makes new friends, but becomes involved in a secret struggle between Mephisto Pheles, the principal of the school, and the Order of the True Cross. Will he ever achieve his goal to become an exorcist? Or will he become something more sinister?â€
Manga creator, writer and illustrator Kazue Kato won the prestigious Tezuka Award when she was only 19 for her work, Rabbit And I, published in Japan in Akamaru Jump magazine. From 2005 to 2006 her series, Robo to Usakichi, a sci-fi adventure featuring a rabbit (again!), was published in the monthly magazine Shonen Sirius (Kodansha). Her latest manga series, BLUE EXORCIST, debuted in Jump Square magazine in April of 2009. Kazue Kato has used a rabbit as a self-portrait in her author’s notes and her works often have some relation to rabbits.
For more information on BLUE EXORCIST and other titles from Shonen Jump Advanced, please visit: www.ShonenJump.com.
Viz Media plans delight shojo readers and fans of creator Arina Tanemura with the North American premiere of her current manga (graphic novel) series – SAKURA HIME: THE LEGEND OF PRINCESS SAKURA – on April 5th. The new title launches under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.
Sakura is the granddaughter of a mysterious moon princess who slew demons with her Blood Cherry Blossom sword. All her life Sakura has been forbidden to look at the full moon without knowing why. Then one night, unhappy over her impending marriage, Sakura gazes up at the moon, only to see a demon attacking her…
“Arina Tanemura returns to fantasy in her latest series, SAKURA HIME,†says Nancy Thistlethwaite, Editor. “The story takes place during the Heian period of Japan and interweaves the myth of the moon princess with magical shojo and the supernatural. Wanting to escape a life arranged by others, Princess Sakura runs away from an impending arranged marriage to a man she’s never met, only to find she’s caught up to her true destiny as a descendant of the moon princess. This manga features the beautiful artwork and emotional impact that has given Tanemura a worldwide following.â€
Arina Tanemura began her manga career in 1996 when her short stories debuted in Ribon magazine. She gained fame with the 1997 publication of I•O•N (published by VIZ Media), and ever since her debut Tanemura has continued to be a major force in shojo manga with popular series such as TIME STRANGER KYOKO, SHORT TEMPERED MELANCHOLIC, FULL MOON, and THE GENTLEMEN’S ALLIANCE †(all published in North America by VIZ Media) as well as KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE. Both KAMIKAZE KAITO JEANNE and FULL MOON have been adapted into popular animated TV series.
For more information on SAKURA HIME or other works by Arina Tanemura, please visit www.ShojoBeat.com.
